Occupational health and welfare

Occupational health concerns in different industries

Guide

Depending on the business sector in which you operate, you and your employees are likely to face specific occupational health issues:

  • Transport - you should consider drivers' comfort and posture as well as the hours they spend at the wheel.
  • Building and construction - consider employees' fitness for specific tasks. Aim to prevent injury and exposure to construction risks such as excessive noise, vibration and hazardous materials.
  • Manufacturing - take into account a range of engineering hazards, from excessive noise, temperature extremes and vibration, to potentially dangerous processes and hazardous substances
  • Agriculture - consider possible causes of stress such as long hours and and working alone, There is also a risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals, pesticides and zoonoses (diseases that can be spread from animals to humans).
  • Offices - look at workstation design - seating, desks, lighting and screens, noise levels. See prevent repetitive strain injury at work and safety of workplace machinery, equipment and tools.
  • Food and catering - consider the risks of allergies and infections posed by contact with certain substances.
  • Retail, hotel and catering - consider how you can protect employees, particularly those in customer-facing roles, from third-party harassment.
  • Warehousing - consider how exposure to sudden changes in temperature, lifting heavy items and poor lighting can affect health.

Regardless of the industry, you should pay particular attention to the needs of new and expectant mothers. 

You must also enforce the smoking ban. This means that all substantially enclosed public places, workplaces and company vehicles used by more than one person should be smoke-free.

Many industries have very specific health and safety requirements - it's essential to ensure you're familiar with those affecting you.